Iowa, Illinois lawmakers go in different directions

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa legislature has handed lots of the prime Republican priorities of 2023.

A supermajority within the Republican Senate and a majority within the Home has helped Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds cross a lot of her agenda.

“Our state is on a brand new path,” the Governor stated in an announcement because the Legislature ended the 2023 session.

Throughout the Mississippi River, in Illinois, the Democrats have a supermajority within the Senate and the Home. They’ve superior many elements of the Democratic governor’s agenda with little assist from members of the minority social gathering, the Republicans.

Two totally different states, two totally different agendas, two totally different instructions.

And the distinction can simply be seen in Dubuque, Iowa and, throughout the Mississippi River, East Dubuque, Illinois.

Invoice Hollenbeck owns Three Nails Gunsmithing in East Dubuque and feels the Illinois legislature is towards him.

“It’s robust being a gunowner and/or proudly owning a gun store.”

Indigo Perry is energetic in LGBTQ rights in Dubuque and feels the identical in regards to the Iowa legislature.

“Lots of de-humanizing individuals, to be sincere,” Perry stated.

In Iowa, lawmakers handed payments with out assist from Democrats.

Restrictions are eased on kids within the workforce, caps at the moment are imposed on medical malpractice awards, and among the many first main payments accredited presents vouchers that change college funding.

Perry says it appears Republicans within the legislature aren’t listening to what considerations the minority.

A few of these lawmakers who’re within the minority agree.

“It’s extremely irritating to should push up towards that,” stated Democratic State Rep. Lindsay James, the Dubuque lawmaker who’s the Democratic Whip within the Iowa Home.

“This legislative session began out deeply polarizing and political with vouchers,” stated Rep. James, referring to the Republican college funding invoice signed into regulation by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

“After which we moved on to 32 totally different assaults on the LGBTQ group from banning well being look after transgender youngsters, from Iowa’s model of ‘Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice.”

Throughout the river from Dubuque, the sentiments sound the identical however from a totally totally different perspective.

“We’re related, we do have a voice and we shouldn’t be ignored,” stated Illinois Home Minority Chief Tony McCombie, the Republican from Savanna, Illinois who represents East Dubuque.

“It’s to the Far Left or to the far Proper and disregarding the vast majority of the individuals within the center and that’s an enormous downside.”

In Illinois, the Democratic Get together is answerable for the state legislature and the Governor’s Workplace. This session, it has taken up payments that frustrate Conservatives.

There’s a invoice that creates racism-free colleges, one other that cuts funding to libraries that ban books, and a brand new regulation mandating companies give staff 5 days paid depart for any cause.

However essentially the most controversial: a ban on sure firearms and high-capacity magazines.

And that has Invoice Hollenbeck deeply involved.

“I feel the Democratic facet positively acquired their agenda and so they don’t wish to cross that social gathering line.”

He says it’s one-party rule that’s gone too far.

The criticism is heard in Illinois and Iowa.

“It appears it doesn’t matter what we do, it’s like we get disregarded and swept away and it’s irritating,” stated Perry.

It’s greater than politicians complaining about different politicians.

Whereas lawmakers within the minority say the opposite facet is unfair and is performing unilaterally, it’s individuals like Indigo Perry and Invoice Hollenbeck who fear that the politicians aren’t representing everybody of their state.

“Should you go fully left, it might be horrible, should you go fully proper, it’ll be horrible,” stated Hollenbeck.

“It’s a must to have each. However they should be, they should by some means work collectively.”

And till that occurs, some individuals like Indigo Perry who stay in border communities will surprise if life is likely to be higher on the opposite facet of the Mississippi River.

“Actually I can drive 5 minutes throughout the bridge and have extra recognition of my rights and have extra security and have extra safety.”

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